James cunning



(Nomad.)-

J. GUNNING.

PACKING GURED MEAT.

N0. 392,949. Patented NOV. 13, 1888.

JAMES oUNNINc, on INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, AsSIeNon rro KINGAN a Y co., (LIMITEn) on sAME PLAcE.

PACKiNG CURED MEAT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of .Letters Patent Nc. 392,949, dated November 13, 1888.

Application tiled September 2U, 1888. Serial No. 285,910.

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES CUNNING, a resident of Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Packing Curedlllfeat or Shoulders of Bacon; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the 1o art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in methods for packing meat, and more particularly cured shoulders of bacon.

In preparation of meat of the character named it is desirable that the edges and sides of the shoulders should be given a rectangular form as near as possible, for the purpose of rendering the slices when cut more regular zo and presentable, and also to give the shoulders a neater appearance. It is also. of importance in the packing of shoulders that they be compacted in the shipping-box, so that there will be no vacant space or iuterstices left between 2 5 the pieces of meat, and thus permit the greatest possible amount of meat to be placed in a box of suitable dimensions. j

To effect the desired objects indicated, I have devised a novel method whereby all the room 3o in a box of propcrdimensions will be utilized, and the several pieces of meat, particularly shoulders of bacon,will be given the most presentable form for market.

To carry into effect the method of packing 3 5 shoulders, which is the subject of my present invention, I provide a peculiarly-constructed packing-box, of which the following is a description.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate 4o the form of box preferred, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a box filled with the meat, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the box containing the packed shoulders, one side being removed to expose the contents of the box and show the manner of arrau gement of the shoulders within the box.

A represents the packing-box, made of any suitable material, preferably wooden boards. The box is of such relative dimensions that a 5o certain number of shoulders of assorted size will, when arranged in regular order, be held (No model.)

in the box, but require forcible compression to compact them into proper form.

As preferred, for convenience of handling and to avoid excessive weight in the package, the box is made to contain a convenient number of pieces ofcured meat. The box A, being about square in form, is of a length to receive two shoulders, B, of similar weight, said pieces being deposited with the shanks e overlapping 6o each other, as shown. The Width of the packing-box should be so proportioned to the dimensions of the pieces to be packed in it that a desired number of rows of the pieces or shoulders B may be deposited on the bottom ofthe box, said rows being separated by partitions C, which latter may be rigidly secured in place, or made removable, the latter plan being preferred. After the first tier or layer of shoulders has been deposited in the recep- 7o tacle A, a second row of the shoulders, having about the same dimensions, are placed on the iirst row, and successive rows are thus introduced until the box A is full, the last row projecting somewhat above the upper edge of the box and the partitions C, which latter are continued upward to the top edge of the box. After the box is completely filled, as just described, the lid A is placed upon the projecting meat, and by any proper means forced 8o down to lie on the edges of the box. The lid, aligning its edges with the sides of the box, is then fastened thereon by screws or nails. Vhen the pressure mentioned is placed upon the lid A', the meat will be so compressed that 85 the edges of cach shoulder will conform to the shape of the box with which it has contact, and as the sides are pressed dat the meat portion of each shoulder will be given a nearly rectangular form, So that it may be readily sliced 9o and have a neat appearance, adding to its value as a merchantable article.

Having fully described my improved method of packing shoulders of bacon and the means whereby said process is carried into effect, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A process for packing meat, consisting of the arrangement of the pieces in rows superimposed upon each other in a box and Ico also aside of each other, and dividing these tiers or rows by partitions of unyielding material, and finally pressing the meat to cour pact it, substantially as set forth.

2. A process for packing shoulders in a receptacle, consisting of the placing of successive layers of shoulders upon each other, the pieces being arranged in rows, a partition of rigid material being introduced between each tier or row ofthe packed pieces of rncat, and a lid forcibly pressed on the incat that fills the boX, substantially as set forth.

3, A process for packing shoulders of bacon in a receptacle, consisting in first placing successive layers of shoulders Within the box and between its vertical partitions, the shoulders having their shanks in contact with each other and the meat portion bearing against the box and the partitions of the box, and finally pressing the lid of the box upon the last layer of shoulders to compact the mass of meat in the box, and then securing` the lid7 substantially as set forth.

4. The process ofpacking shoulders of bacon for shipment, consisting in arranging the shoulders inseparate tiers of successive layers, each layer consisting of two shoulders arranged with their Shanks overlapping one another, the side edges and ends of each shoulder being in contact With and shaped by the walls and the loose partitions of the box in which they are packed.

In testimony whereof I j have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

' JAMES CUNNING.

Witnesses:

JOHN Moonn, ROBERT W. REID. 

